~ Wallace's Attempt at Humanities

Category Archives: SOCIAL HISTORIES

Political polarization – the vast and growing gap between liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats – has become a defining feature of American politics. It has tragic implications – probably bringing us all totally down.

Clinton Rossiter, then a Cornell historian in 1960, referred to this general subject in his piece, “Parties and Politics in America”; it attempted to address the overall subject.

Political parties have been the peacemakers of the American community…the unwitting but forceful suppressors of the “civil-war potential” we carry always in the bowels of our diverse nation. “Blessed are the peacemakers, I am tempted to conclude”, he wrote.

But here is where we find ourselves in 2019….in a deep political ditch.

It is now difficult in these days for Republicans to have solid Democrat friends…as it is for Democrats to have solid Republican friends. That is the truth.

So we must begin somewhere – probably not a balance approach….but a start. Thus, I am obligated, as a conservative person, to inquire of my remaining Democrat friends the following, without accusation.

Do you support, or believe:

The Green New Deal.

Reparations for slavery, and how that would work.

Modern abortion, redefined as permissible Infanticide.

Open borders.

Packing SCOTUS with additional, preferably liberal judges.

Abolition of the Electoral College.

Abolition of ICE.

Totally free college tuition.

Elimination of student debt TOTALLY.

Medicare for ALL.

A Wealth tax.

A 70 % top marginal income tax rate.

A 16 year old voting age.

Automatic voting rights for ex-felons.

There is no lying down of the gauntlet here. It could certainly be said that our current political unrest has nothing on the 1960’s, when Clinton Rossiter observed the above.

All I’m DOING is inquiring.

It seems to me that we are all obligated to address what we are asked to endure – and simply, attempt to resolve issues which divide us – almost totally.

Infanticide should not be a partisan issue. Every Senator should agree – regardless of party – that a living child should be cared for, not disposed of like medical waste no matter the circumstances of his or her birth….Sen. James Lankford@Senator Lankford.

Yes, Virginians have good reason to be embarrassed – certainly mortified at the Democrat leadership we encounter in this Commonwealth and United States Senate. Most of us never dreamed that we would come to this dreaded political pass.

This is how Virginia Democrats feel about “born-alive” legislation to protect the new born?

Then, there is the metastasizing crisis unfolding at the top of Virginia’s state government, particularly in light of their racist campaigning against Republican Ed W. Gillespie in 2017. Remember, Republicans and Gillespie were racists – and sexists; Candidate Ralph Northam lambasted and screamed the charges in advertisements that fall; he led the pack, in large part by excoriating his opponent as a racist for raising the specter of immigrants as source of violent crime, and for leaving Confederate statues in place.

If that wasn’t enough, the current Virginia governor went on later to describe how the procedures for basic infanticide could be accomplished – on a Washington D.C. radio station, WTOP. Finally, the black face and moon dancing episodes splashed his career over the brim.

Then, seemingly clean Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring released a statement saying Northam should stepdown for his black face history. One problem. The hypocritical Herring had a black face history of his own….really!

Finally, there appears Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax with a new twist: two very professional Democrat women accused him of sexual assault over a period of approximately four years; Fairfax happens to be black, aiming for Virginia’s second black governorship in just two years. Talk about political and race complications!

Fairfax’s tactics turned out to be a tad more creative. He now compares his own case – in which these two women accuse him of sexual assault – to a “modern-day lynching” of a black man if the legislature may wish to hold a public hearing on the matter. Where is the shame, truth, or honor?

So in the last two months, the Democrats have left our scarred Commonwealth with disgrace, mortification, plus unwillingness to take responsibility, and helping to resolve the crisis.

Instead they have given us the following:

Total non-cooperation of dealing with the “Fairfax difficulty” by being uncooperative in a proposed 50/50 two-party committee to investigate this disaster of public service.

Democrats tried to make INFANTICIDE legal in the Commonwealth of Virginia…no doubt about this.

The Democratic Governor and Attorney General both admitted to black-facing. They sit in office untouched by their party leadership. What if the Republican had done this?

The Fairfax matter seems to slide on despite charges of sexual assault from two different Democrat female professionals. Even the national Democratic leadership is embarrassed by this tragedy.

To make the scenario even more scandalous, the Democrats picked an anti-Semitic candidate in a deep blue Northern Virginia district – then elected him to the General Assembly of Virginia.

As Virginians, we have every right to be humiliated and chagrined. How do we get out of this…overcome the stench? Democrats, what gives?

Regretfully, the comic book industry deep state has been overly aggressive with demands for diversity, political correctness, and expressing horror at “toxic masculinity.” Comics are now in the persuasion business and calculated to create agendas.

It would seem current comic book editors, writers, etc. has completely bought into the Alinsky-driven leftist agenda. If one is not alert…and carefully discriminate, the irony is huge – these days the far left has become the religious right.

This brings me to my “funny papers”– comic book relationships of decades long ago. Growing up with the comic page, there was “LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE”; “The PHANTOM”; “TERRY & the PIRATES”; “BLONDIE”; “SMILING JACK” (with Jungle Jolly);” Li’l ABNER” (in Dogpatch, USA); and later “POGO”, and “PEANUTS. All were great.

But, still not in the “DICK TRACY” league, according to Wallace’s meter.

Dick Tracy, detective, was aided by Chef Brandon, side-kick Pat Patton, Tess Trueheart (later his wife), and his adopted son, Junior. Sam Catchem would replace Pat Patton in 1948. The strip was totally creative in its rogue’s gallery of characters.

The “Tracy” comic strip was recognized from Police Associations across the country: Associated Police Communication Officers, Inc.; National Police Officers Association; The Honor Legion of the Police Department of the City of New York; Illinois Crime Prevention Officers Association, and multitudes of others.

“Dick Tracy” first appeared in the Detroit Mirror (October 4, 1931) – then one of the Tribune owned papers, then the New York Daily News, then the Chicago Tribune, taking the country by storm. So popular was the comic strip that it appeared on the front page of the New York Daily News for 45 consecutive years; it was seen in 27 foreign newspapers.

The cultural necessity was to fight against a growing criminal class; many historians hark back to Prohibition as causing America’s growing big-time crime rate – increased criminal behavior. The wonderful Richmond News Leader carried the comic strip on weekday afternoons, and the Times Dispatch published it on Sundays. The News Leader won me over forever….with this one gesture.

Chester Gould’s classic criminal characters were a rough crowd of crooks: Little Face – The Mole (digging in the earth has made the Mole’s hands very strong) – B-B Eyes – Pruneface (Anesthetic, YOUR EYE – you set the leg. I’ll take it with my eyesopen) – 88 Keys….and one of the worse: Flattop.

Near the end of World War II, we were introduced to Vitamin Flintheart (Ah, my little dove) – reminiscent of the exaggerated actor, John Barrymore. Who could forget The Brow –Gravel Gertie (ah! A man) – ~Shakey~ and his daughter, BreathlessMahoney……plus B.O. Plenty? Then there was Itchy (How fortunate! I think I have just the thing for you. Won’t you come up?)…and millionaire industrialist, DietSmith (your call is waiting, sir).

Themesong was obnoxious (I’ll stand on my constitutional rights! I want a mouthpiece); Mandolin–playing Sparkle Plenty (daughter of Gertie & B.O.) was not obnoxious. Mumbles continued to be difficult to understand.

Measles was my favorite. His mother was a prison matron, accidently killed in the “pump machinery” by our Gravel Gertie, a current inmate. Along the way Measles would introduce us to a waitress, Paprika, (Always you are playing the radio and dancing. That is no good. Come, get busy). I studied this girl before I knew what her name meant.

Sketch Paree (I am sorry to frighten you, baby); Canhead; Pouch (snap), and George Ozone (You wouldn’t believe I was 84 years old) would round out my adolescent years.

Finally, The Two-Way Wrist Radio developed by Brilliant – more than 50 years before the iPod and iPhone, was the precursor to all miniature and hand-held electronic gadgets….(It contains tiny tubes, battery, microphone, and speaker. Look, by pressing the other button, it receives). Brilliant’s invention financed by Diet Smith was difficult to accept.

After completing my paper route for the Times Dispatch, I would later visit Milton’s Westhampton Inn (much later Smokey’s – at Libbie & Grove). The magnet was it dalliance-ridden, sketchy newsstand. Curious pre-teens consumed the chance to peek at nefarious tabloids as Police Gazette, Variety, Confidential, Billboard, and of course the New York Daily News.

The Daily News was where you could get Dick Tracy’s comic strip a week AHEAD of Richmond’s publications. It’s always gratifying to know how events turned out before you’re supposed to

In April, i948, few Richmonders really knew what “television” meant. Dinah Shore’s Buttons and Bows; Art Mooney’s I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover, and Nat King Cole’s Nature Boy…led the pop charts – on radio.

Quietly dismounting, resembling a 78-rpm record, a jerky “test pattern” appeared on small television sets, appointing itself “Channel 6.” Used equipment from the 1941 World’s Fair was freighted to a former bus garage at 3300 West Broad Street, becoming a rudimentary TV studio.

WTVR, owned by Wilbur Havens, became “the South’s First Television Station” on April 22, 1948. Havens had experimented in – WMBG 1380 AM, (Magnetos, Batteries, and Generators) early radio, and WCOD-FM 98.1. Richmond’s TV 6 began televising limited hours daily – with pioneer covered wagon artwork as it first identity symbol.

Without local competition, Havens’ FCC application stood alone – his license prevailed – the last to be awarded before the Federal Communications Commission froze future station applications until 1955. Havens had a guaranteed competition-free Richmond market.

TV signals were transmitted at first by a small tower from Staples Mills Road at Broad where Anthem Blue Cross resides today. In 1953, I studied the “Big Tower” slow-motion construction of Channel 6’s ultimate tower; few men worked on the 1,069-feet-above-sea-level structure. When Hurricane Hazel passed over Richmond in October, 1954, it brought an interesting slight sway to Richmond’s new icon.

Our Westwood subdivision of fifty new homes included a dozen neighborhood TV owners. As pre-teens, we asked if we could come in….and view it. Most agreed. We learned what heightened excitement came from small round Zenith screens.

Those popular shows which were new to us, often landing in strange slots: I Love Lucy episodes rant at 10:30 p.m. Saturday nights, preceding Amos and Andy (sponsored by Blatz beer). What’sMy Line (sponsored by Stopette) aired 2 p.m. Sundays. Name That Tune with Robert Q. Lewis, and Life Begin At 80 (which really intrigues me now) with Jack Barry, would follow – all kinescopes of live telecasts.

The Aldrich Family (Henry, Henry Aldrich!) was live Friday at 9:30 p.m. in New York, but televised Sundays at 5:30 – nine days later in Richmond.

There was no kinescoping of TODAY – with Dave Garroway and Jack Lescoulie presiding live. Rising early to view the first TODAY from the RCA Exhibition Hall on 49th Street seemed magical at 7 a.m.

WTVR’s local TV productions were modest. John Shand reported Eyes on The Times news. Joe Swartz’s Weather was elementary. Near a map outline of Virginia, referring to notes, he would mark current temperatures in six circled city locations. Sportlight with Jack Lewis was local TV Sports – later replaced by Tim Finnegan. Decades later, Finnegan recalled that his future colleagues were incredulous when they discovered he had NO competition.

Mavis Gibbs, home economist, ran The Cooking Show while John Shand, her side-kick, would do his soft shoe. Story Book Lady, Helen Langton, was always introduced by Bill Maust, A Miller and Rhoads representative. Grove Ave. Baptist Church, with Rev. Byron Wilkerson, was studio-live Sunday mornings.

Color TV emerged in late 1954. Advertised as “NBC’s first 90-minute color television spectacular,” the dreadful Satins and Spurs, with Betty Hutton was live. Channel 6 invited stand-in-line viewers to visit their studios and witness color TV – seemed half of Richmond attended.

By the mid 1950’s, competition arrived – Channels 8 in 1955, and 12 in 1956. Test pattern TV became distant – those pioneering pop hits too. We’re Gonna Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets filled the music charts. The 40’s culture subsided. As did Richmond’s Confederate social obsession too – all became diminished.

Memo: Dr. Marion, Hooray for H-SC with your piece published last Sunday in the Commentary Section…..Tiger pride continues! With your work and that of Dr. Ron Heinemann’s (Harry Byrd bio) column several weeks ago, we all celebrate the RTD ink of H-SC faculty.

I am fascinated with your theory that the possible “trust deficit” is a serious matter. You are correct of course. More fascinating is your quote: A culture that is rooted in the presumed dignity and equality of all person is a pre-condition for moderate politics. That’s the challenge for certain.

Wonder why we have reached this point in America? I think I have come to know:

Many can take credit for this deep divide within the U.S. after 40 years of designed separation:

the elites of Hollywood film industry has played a huge role: …..the toney academic culture with their total intolerance.……the elimination of open discourse among college students, which enjoys support of faculties, administrators alike – far more serious than anyone recognizes .

An uncontrolled, predominant leftist media: CNN; MSNBC; CBS; NBC; ABC, hourly – plus the ever legit NYT and the LA Times. The massiveness of all this is incomprehensible, shameful, and most of all, DANGEROUS. And the people know now.

Politically correct speech…..who has not run into that on college campus and in corporations as well.

The United States Government with both houses in knee deep elitism (that is what the Rep. Cantor matter was all about); the horrible elitism of both George W. Bush, and especially Barack Obama, with his surly attitude; do not forget K Street conglomerates- looking after well-healed clients.

The outright pornification of advertising with its complicit leadership, and the ads which emerge from their shops, both disgusting and lucrative.

And finally ‘HILLBILLY ELEGY ‘, which really makes your point of “culture that is rooted in the resumed dignity and equality” a monstrous joke.

Rural America’s deeply rooted cultural traditions, religiosity, music, and history of storytelling, and its belief in the nobility of hard work that includes getting your hands dirty, all make up who we are in this country. They could no care less whose editor of NYT or WaPo….but they pray daily which drive the left to distraction.

Those Americans who voted for McCain and Romney never, never, ever…..behaved in such fashion towards President Obama, a soon-to-be-phony, who turned out disappointing for everyone. I will make the point which will place me in the “racist’s camp”: if BHO had simply been white, he would never have been nominated by your political party.

And yes, the Clergy….not only elitists, but simply political leftists’, certainly social activist – sadly, my Rector fits the bill.

The left’s total support, and outrageous sympathy for undocumented citizens (hell, THERE I go) I mean, illegal immigrants.

Antifa, BLM (Pigs In a Blanket / Fry em like bacon); the kneeling at the nation’s anthem, and burning American flags that many of our students fought, and died for; fighting horrible lax immigration enforcement (left by Obama)….then knocked down by lefty Federal judges of everything the current administration is attempting to address.

And the final blow: a political and speech correctness which attempts to deny us our solid Constitutional rights.

David, you know what haunts me: I do not see any indication from your people in classroom teaching that they have a clue why 50-60MM is so turned off and distrustful. Now they KNOW.

These prideful Americans (Blue collar white and black) have watched their security robbed by the policies of the U.S. Government. They fully understand where they stand in the left’s scheme of things – these are people most of you have never tripped over in your professional or social lives.

My God….this should be evident to every thinking America, particular professors. I can see, even smell, the 1890s all over again, but with their own media and abilities to reach millions upon millions.

Saturday, August 12, 2017, delivers deep sadness. Once one experiences life in Charlottesville, the place takes up a special place in one’s education and life. I find her recent defilement unacceptable. Professor Larry Sabato has tweeted the University of Virginia is closed.

Attending the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences there – living on the corner of Madison and University Ave, diagonally across from the majestic Rotunda – was truly idyllic. Sitting in a classroom under Dr. Merrill D. Peterson (The Jeffersonian Image in the American Mind) was no minor academic challenge. Still, The anger on last weekend’s tragedy remains inconsolable.

This charming university town is where young people come to learn, develop, grow-up, and become whole. Now, its tradition and purpose has been violated – thanks to ignorant “racist goons” on both sides (wacko alt-rightist and Black Lives Matter). These unhinged, ugly outsiders purposefully traveled there to bring civil unrest.

With all due respect to the easy surface issues, honest diligence requires deeper consideration. Some leadership there perpetuated growing conflict by giving way to the obscenity of political correctness over the R.E. Lee statue, easily ignoring solid civil rights history.

It was their Democratic party, who, by and large, maintained white supremacy, severe segregation in the first half of Virginia’s 20th century – not the Republicans. Virginians, under Republican Ted Dalton, Radford, Va. made certain it was unacceptable back in 1953. We should never forget that Republicans in Congress salvaged the Civil Rights legislation for the then Democratic president, Lyndon B. Johnson. Where have the editorialists been on that subject?

Maybe it is time for Charlottesville’s leadership and others go back and crack a few solid history books. There is a lot more to all this.

Then there is the local political leadership. With apparent University support – taking over Charlottesville’s political structure, with a group of self-assured, self-centered politicians bringing mockery and depriving Mr. Jefferson’s village of balanced government. By advocating a poisonous political correctness; they engineered a new definition of simple subversion. Realizing or not, this leadership dismissed the traditional culture of community.

Mayor Michael Signer, oozing with condescension and total self-righteousness, exhibited himself for our entire nation to view, evaluate. Signer came to Charlottesville political service from the UVA classroom. Appearing first with Governor McAuliffe in a press conference, then on the ever-inviting CNN, Signer displayed an insufferable moral preening – playing a totally adopted heroic role vs. the irredeemable, with whom he is surrounded. One’s reaction: nothing more than UGH – stick-finger-down-the-throat time.

Additionally, the mayor went so far as to blame the president after Trump’s very clear, solid statement about “all sides responsible”. It wasn’t good enough for him, nor the mainstream media. Surprise! No question we can count on Signer to be one of the Republican/Trump-hating extremist. Irony upon all ironies – David Duke stands with Michael Signer in their criticism of President Trump. These two stoke the “outrage machine” hand-in-hand.

The deaths of Charlottesville native, Heather Heyer, a young paralegal from Greene County, and the Virginia State Policemen: Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, Quinton, Va.; Lt. H. Jay Cullen, Midlothian, Va., was nothing short of obscene, and one must ask – for what?

Now, Emancipation Park will carry its own history as a place where terrorism prevailed despite all the lofty intentions. The Richmond Times Dispatch clearly reported that both sides were militarized in some fashion. They both arrived to war –alt. rights vs. counter protesters.

I cannot help but envision Robert E. Lee saddled up , looking down at the mob below….quietly saying: hey, I’ll leave quietlyso you can pursue your lives. He would be heartbroken – simply riding away to separate himself from the academic riff raff.

As a Richmonder, it is required to end with a cautionary note: our Mayor Levar Stoney had better look out for his “fire bell in the night.” It is headed in his direction…the recent meeting at the Virginia Historical Society was ever so propitious.

Charlottesville, mon amour – you deserved so much better from all sides – from all of us.

American citizens aren’t getting along anymore; the political, economic, and ideological animosity has evenly divided us. Remembering the unity, solidarity of growing up during World War II, I find this culture of hostility almost reckless.

Our dangerously-wide separation of people certainly emerged before the final stretch of last year’s presidential race when everybody assumed Hilliary Clinton would win with landslide proportions. Massive shock, awe, unacceptance…followed.

In fact, this writer would place the birth of new “breach” around 1987 – when Federal Judge Robert Bork was nominated for the United States Supreme Court by then President Ronald W. Reagan. An early role by Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, with his brief book, Biden Report; was indicative of how excruciatingly political opposition began the downward spiral. It emerged into a surprisingly nasty time.

If readers wish to go all-out academically – even theological – you can find much of this “breach”, or what Frances FitzGerald’s (THE EVANGELICALS –The Struggle to Shape America) signals as “separationism”. Bearing fruit in an all-but-forgotten aspect of the conservative Protestant religious experience, it played out in Dayton, TN, 1925 – a very disagreeable exhibition known as the Scopes trials. Recalling the Stanley Kramer adaption of Inherit theWind, the more fundamentalist “locals” received an dreadful portrayal.

Historically, one must go back to the post Civil War period (1876-1896) to find the split of the American spirit – thus American culture.

The outright venomous hate today – take the Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show tirade which even social media found appalling – generates cases even within church congregations, clearly those with partisan leadership. Ostensibly, one can view a persuasive geographic breach within mainland America (West Coast plus North Eastern U.S. vs. the South, Southwest, and an impressive portion of the Mid-West). Alone, California gave Ms. Clinton a 3 million plus vote plurality – thus, the majority national vote. Not to mention a significantly uneven geographic distribution of opportunity.

Pouring the syrup of elitism, educational arrogance, academic stridency, and one’s self-referential condescension, plus unflinching intolerance; corroborates a sensible Glen Beck (radio/TV) observation: we’re so cocooned in this country; we arenot welcomed in each other’s world (05/01/17) at all.

Recently, a Los Angeles Times piece by Sarah D. Wire cheered on Rep. Maxine Waters for her full frontal attack on the current president. Waters has become an exhilarating “Auntie Maxine” in the Age of Trump. She’d refused to attend the January inauguration (along with a number of Virginia congressmen), advocating early impeachment proceedings. James Comey’s FBI “had no creditability.” “Auntie Maxine” sure does tell it like it is”, whimpered Ms. Wire.

Then, the New York Times published a debut op-ed column by the newly-hired Bret Stephens, which simply requested climate change be evaluated with some additional measurements. Its loyal readership turned furious – in some cases, angrily canceling their NYT subscriptions. Diversity of opinion is now being attacked…at the Times?

In the same newspaper, we discover an observation from W. Kamau Bell, in his new book(The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell): Whenever I tell people in Berkeley, CA, where I live….that I’m headed to the beach in Alabama, they are shocked….But no one has taken us up on the invitation yet, because of one problematic word: Alabama. ….I have discovered that when your are black, saying ‘ I’m headed to the South’….is like saying I’m headed to my own lynching and I decided to bring the rope just to make it easier on the Klansmen….and if there was ever a time that we all should take a trip to the other parts of American and spend some time to get to know the people there, it is now. So, who wants to come with me to (Alabama)?

Author Bell pegged the distrustful depth, bringing a personalized invitation to address it. My guess is that this is the kind of action that it is going to take….from everyone everywhere.

Individually, we have morphed into a sad, isolated, separated U.S. citizenry, totally taken up with small screens, machines, opinions, surrounding ourselves with those who bring succor to predisposed views. As bonfires of vanities rage on, mercenaries and missionaries share equally.

It has, and will continue to make us socially impaired….haunting any genuine successful attempt for reunion. We’ve created this….and only we can start fixing it.

The compelling experience of writing this column is disagreeable, irksome, distressing. It deals with what is so repulsive – a growing exclusivity within church parishes regarding matters of perceived “social justice” – sadly far too ubiquitous around this nation, and in Richmond, VA. Willful blindness prevails.

It concerns a RTD column written by Todd Culbertson (RICHMOND SEEKS TRUTH & RECONCILIATION- March 31, 2017), the senior editor, editorials at The Times Dispatch, which, in my mind, flirted with mendacity; Culbertson is member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA.

This recent column on the documentary film, “13th, was judgmental, reeking of sentimental absolutes. His column did not do Culbertson, or his fellow- St. Stephens Episcopal Church congregates, any favors.

This less-than-objective film about American racism was presented at the “appropriately named Fellowship Hall” with reconciliation intent. He apparently views the documentary next to the Holy Grail of movie making. “The movie”, he wrote, “depicts the historical truth that is necessary for reconciliation.” No reconciliation found here in his column.

Let’s be clear: Editor Culbertson is a savvy word-guy, with both the talent and honor to compose any piece he pleases for his Richmond Times Dispatch. Yet, in one broad brush, he characterized (unacceptably, I might add) over half of his fellow congregates as non-Pilgrims – no doubt a negative.

In his view, only those members of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, who attended the show were to be accorded “Pilgrim” status. His reasoning: those of us who didn’t choose to view the church’s screening of “13th, were somehow either insensitive, or unconstructed Richmonders.

Rev. Robert Dibble, with moderate voice, recently shared an almost forgotten television interview by the distinguished CBS journalist, Edward R. Murrow – held at the home of Carl Sandburg, leading poet, in the mountains of North Carolina back in 1954: “Mr. Sandburg, what is the ugliest word in the English language?”

With characteristic playfulness and drama, the wise poet pondered the question at length, seemingly searching for an appropriate answer. With a quizzical expression on his face, he mused, “The ugliest word? The ugliest word? He finally replied: The ugliest word in the English language is: EXCLUSIVE.

Editor Culbertson went very, very exclusive describing his non-attendees – categorizing us in the worse kind of reverse-racism manner. In my mind, it wobbled between unfair and unacceptable. He goes so far as to equate this film with church liturgy, the Stations of the Cross – all reinforcing faith.

Having a rather extensive friendship with Todd over many years – even his neighbor now for a decade, this writer is not unmindful of his propensity for writing, discoursing, on church/social issues – sharing his perceived view of overt Richmond cultural racism. I have been on the receiving end more than once on his grievances with Southerners –particular Republicans….both Commonwealth and national.

“The Americans who needed exposure to “13’s” verities stayed home. Angry white males who believe Barack Obama was the worse president and person since the previous moderate Democrat have no interest in exposing themselves reality. Really !

About the film, The 13th: Reviewers split themselves on politically ideological lines; some endorsed, others questioned – many see “13th” as a product of a disastrously confused time. Ava Du Vernay’s (director) nonfiction film interprets the Constitution’s 13th Amendment, which officially abolished slavery. Then she shifts to an extended, jumbled alarum about what’s called the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC). The film ignores the W.E.B. DuBois concern – Black American Uplift – for the currently fashionable appeal of “protest,” a term that patronizing news media always preface with “peaceful” – sanctioning it as synonymous with uplift.

Armond White, writer, provocative film critic – in his October 5, 2016 review nails it: “The film rolls through history, drawing quick, superficial parallels between recent racial events (Ferguson, Baltimore) and past civil-rights milestone.” In other words,the more we can mix the original, genuine, justifiable civil rights protest, with the more recent hooligans (try Baltimore as an example), the more legitimate the hooliganism will be accepted. Thus, Du Vernay’s contrived message: Nothing has changed.”

Reflecting on last month’s Culbertson’s column, this writer, plus many congregates, stand aggrieved. Sadly, nothing has change with the continuous left-wing “round em up” mentality….either at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, or in the column of an old-time friend and neighbor.

Exclusivity is alive and well at the corner of Grove Ave. and Three Chopt Road. The Culbertson column wants it that way. And this writer is angrier than seven rattlesnakes in a gunny sack on a July day.

Bill Kristol, editor, The Weekly Standard, tweeted: Always wanted to be a Mugwump (Not that I really knew what one was)…5/9/16.

Kristol could be accused of self-deprecation with his wry observation. The famous editor, an avowed “Never Trump” leader, takes me back to my Mills Godwin H.S. American History classroom – full of students who delighted with the newly-learned term: Mugwump.

Mugwump was derived from the Algonquian Indian word, mogkiomp (“great man” or “big chief”), first used by Charles A. Dana in the New York Sun. Over a century ago, Mugwumps were Republicans of a more idealistic nature. In the 1884 election, they supported Democratic presidential candidate, Grover Cleveland (D), because they viewed their own candidate, James G. Blaine (R), as corrupt. It is believed that Mugwumps redefined political parties in the 1880s.

The slogans then were equivalent to those we hear today in the Election of 2016. Donald Trump’s “Crooked Hillary” equaled the Democrats screaming: “Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blain, continental liar from the state of Maine.” Hillary’s “Donald Trump is racist” supports the tradition of Republicans screaming: Ma, Ma, Where’s MyPaw? Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha. It appears today that certain groups of “Republicans” hate Trump’s crude, almost hostile invective…more than Hilliary Clinton’s smooth, refined lying and dishonesty.

In this helliacious storm of the 1884 election, it was widely believed Grover Cleveland fathered a child out of wedlock prior to his run for, and eventual election to the White House. Human behavior appears to struggle with a seamy side in both centuries and political party campaigns. Obviously, in 1884 the nation was not entangled with this massive global economic challenge – not even involved in email, nor tweet-driven dynamics – so both candidates avoided the technological traps that plague our culture today.

In that election of “rum, Romanism, and rebellion” yell, many historians came to believe the Mugwumps actually swung the 1884 election to Grover Cleveland (D) by helping him win New York and its 36 electoral votes. Those Republicans who refused to support James G. Blaine (R), changed sides – the New York Sun labeled them “little Mugwumps”. Often they experienced a difficult time of it. The word, Mugwump, was not especially complimentary as the sense of the term morphed into “turncoat”.

Eventually “Mugwumps” became a bulls eye for critics who saw them as politicians, who, either could not, or would not; make up their mind on some important issues. They appeared unable to take a stand or hold a view when their position demanded that they did so. Lastly, the old joke began to embed the culture not unlike “Kilroy Was Here” in World War II: a Mugwump was a person sitting on the fence, with his mug on one side and his wump on the other. It generated Mugwumpary. As now, sloganeering had a sizeable influence conveying a political dynamic in 1884, and 2016.

In U. S. political slang ‘mugwump’ came to mean any independent voter – later the term was adopted in England. In the 1880s, fresh Mugwumps carried impressive names: a young Theodore Roosevelt, George Curtis, and Henry Cabot Lodge: all to return to the Republican ranks after the defeat of James G. Blaine. Even the highly respected William Dean Howells reservedly supported them in limited fashion.

It is a reminder of what’s rippling now in Donald Trump’s direction with the likes of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Brent Scowcroft, Ted Cruz, and John Kasich. Theirs’ is deeply personal….but their dispute over issues carries legitimacy. Half have avoided the Hilliary train so far, so their mugwumpery appears slightly detached and sparsely integrated.

The larger point of Mugwump tradition is that certain political times make that bend in the road so torturous for some sensitive loyalists – in both parties, that they simply cannot bring themselves to conform. Democracy does this with impunity and seeming delight.

Mugwumpery is a historic decoupling between factions within the political parties…both struggle with it, and will for years to come. Ah, for the good old days of “Lord Roscoe”. “Stalwarts”, “Half Breeds”, and ”Conklingites”.

Richmond’s tattered Confederate history was finally diminished. Consumed by a mid-20th century, post World War II culture, the city reflected a stubborn social cohesion, suburbia expansion, adding dissimilar Americans, who settled permanently in the Richmond area.

By 1956, as Gogi Grant sang The WaywardWind, our confederate capital was indeed, “a restless wind that yearns to wander.”

Havens & Martin, 3300 W. Broad Street, with its black/white television signal, on something called Channel 6, introduced those modern worlds from far non-southern places: Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City. The iconic Channel 6 Tower was already two years old (all 1049 feet above sea level). And nudging our curiosity, color television was becoming a taunt as well.

Enter a thriving concept – a place Richmonders had never seen: WILLOW LAWN SHOPPING CENTER, opening in 1956.

Willow Lawn generated massive opportunities for varied shopping experiences – in one setting. An also-ran Southside Plaza followed – both centers symbolized a cultural leap from Richmond’s downtown shopping traditions. At first, no one got a handle on what this revolution would generate….a vast behavioral switch.

My exit from Richmond to Hampden-Sydney College, fall 1956, simply separated me from the significances of commercial emergence. Arriving home around Thanksgiving, our freshman-year presence was less than appreciated at 5905 Crestwood Ave. Shaggy in appearance, absent of haircuts – adhered with genuine sloppiness associated with freshman college life, was not welcomed. Before entering the house, our formidable V.P.I. (now branded “Tech”) military dad stopped my entrance: “Go to Willow Lawn – get cleaned up before you come in here.” He meant it.

Quickly discovering Major’s Barbershop there – unlike anything I’d seen in barbering before, there were gorgeous gals running around doing men’s nails, and giving extraordinary shampoos. As a proud veteran of the Spartan Carl’s Barbershop on Libbie Ave. – since the 40’s – this was another world.

In the actual Mall were Worth’s, Flair, Junior Shoe World, Russell & Holmes, Shevels, My Maternity Shop, Jules Hair Styles, Burnetts, Jim’s Keys, Fannie Farmer Candy, and Safeway at the back. The wonderful Barrel Restaurant would find a place on the back side.

Across from the mall were Miller and Rhoads, next to S & W Cafeteria. Toward Monument Ave.: Edie’s, National Shirt Shop, Lerner’s, Woolworths’s, Baker’s Shoes, Eton, Ltd.; The Home Shop, a restaurant (Copper Skillet – then Aunt Sarah’s, then a pizza place); Singer Sewing and Fabrics, and J.C. Penney.

The Barrel Restaurant was a great place to drink beer with friends, and listen to the modern jazz from Richmond’s Newt Thomas Trio. It was Willow Lawn’s contribution to the watering-hole culture.

I gained an enviable A.B.C. Store clerk job there in 1958 – great money, working conditions for a college student. The store was managed by a diminutive guy from Southside Virginia. Mr. Short was a by-the-book manager – very professional – importantly tolerant of me.

Short was particularly infatuated by a Connie Francis song played incessantly by WLEE-AM on a transistor in his back office: Lipstick on your collar; Told a tale on youuu; Lipstick on your collar; Said you were untrue; Bet your bottom dollar; You and I are through. He would chew gum, hum, whistle, and sing it to himself constantly. Who could forget that?

Later, the Hope Harbor experience at Willow Lawn’s A.B.C. Store left me…sober. “Harbor” was a modest treatment center for alcoholics on far West Broad Street. The owner/manager would appear weekly, with permit, purchasing all the whisky legally allowed. In those days alcoholics were brought down gradually by fewer drinks daily. Recovery was managed/treated with that method. As a college kid, the shopping center continued my education.

Willow Lawn brought the first traffic light to Monument & Libbie; the 12 story 5100 Apartments appeared within 4 years; two blocks away, The Church of the Holy Comforter, Staples Mill Road, completed its Sanctuary as Willow Lawn opened for business.

Musing about all this today, one quietly suspects online shopping is intensifying, bringing dim outlooks for mall shopping generally. My thought is Willow Lawn will continue to live on and on.